Equipoise Resort in Kenderan, Tegallalang is an eco resort in Bali built mostly from bamboo and local stone, crafted together with Balinese artisans. It sits on a ridge with 180-degree views of the rice fields. The resort opened in February 2026 and welcomes adults only.
This guide covers how the resort was built and how it runs day to day. It also shares the guest experiences on offer and who will enjoy a stay here most.
What Makes a Resort an Eco Resort in Bali?
An eco resort in Bali earns the label through how it is built, how it runs, and how it treats the people and culture around it. The most widely used benchmark is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Its hotel standards rest on four pillars: sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts.
What a genuine sustainable resort in Bali looks like
- Responsible management: Sustainability is a documented, ongoing practice rather than a slogan. It is the first GSTC pillar, and certification bodies verify it against recognized standards.
- Benefits for local people: Hiring, training, and buying locally keeps tourism income in the community, which is the GSTC socioeconomic pillar. Building with Balinese craftsmen is one visible example.
- Respect for culture: The resort protects local traditions and heritage instead of using them as decoration.
- Low environmental impact: This covers materials, waste, water, and energy. An eco luxury resort should meet these standards without cutting back on comfort.
How Equipoise Was Built: Bamboo, Stone and Local Hands
Equipoise Resort Ubud is an eco resort in Ubud, created by Equipoise’s in-house architectural designer together with local craftsmen. The result is a bamboo resort whose structures are paired with locally sourced stone.
Bamboo Architecture Rooted in Tri Hita Karana
Following the “Reading the Land” approach, the designer linked the pavilions with a winding path that follows the natural contours of the site. Recycled materials sit alongside the bamboo, and the design is rooted in Tri Hita Karana philosophy, the Balinese principle of balance between people, nature, and the divine.
Bamboo suits Bali well: it is strong, flexible, and “strong and flexible when properly treated. The bamboo architecture also carries cultural meaning, drawing on Balinese wayang storytelling and Catus Patha, the traditional crossroads concept that places a shared center at the heart of community life. In the open-air lobby, guests are greeted by the soft sound of the rindik, a traditional Balinese instrument.
Dining at Terra Verte and Riserva
The same attention to place carries onto the table. Dining begins at Terra Verte, a pavilion with panoramic rice-field views. Breakfast is served as morning light filters through the structure. The kitchen offers modern Italian favorites made with fresh local ingredients, and the handmade pasta is a highlight.
In the evening, Riserva takes over. Run by The Wonderspace, this steakhouse welcomes resort guests and visiting diners alike. Its format, “An Evening in Seven Chapters,” is limited to 16 seats each night.
The evening opens with a ceremonial blessing inspired by Tirta Empul. Diners then choose a steak knife from a collection inspired by Bali’s Pande tradition of master metal artisans, and sample specialty salts from Bali and abroad, including Tejakula Salt from North Bali. The night ends with petite desserts and craft cocktails at Aura Lounge.
Hammana Spa and Wariga Rituals
Hammana Spa continues the cultural thread by combining a Turkish hammam with Balinese wellness practices. Its rituals follow Wariga, the Balinese system of timekeeping, which includes a 210-day cycle of 30 weeks called wuku. A guest’s birth week becomes part of their spiritual identity.
The spa offers a signature Wariga Hammam Treatment and a traditional Balinese massage. Some packages open with a Wariga reading based on the guest’s birth week, then a scent matched to their energy. A foot ritual with warm milk comes next, and the Hammana house aroma welcomes guests on arrival.
Artisan Workshops in Ubud
Hands-on culture rounds out the stay. The artisan workshops cover wood carving, pottery, batik painting, and silver jewelry making, reflecting the resort’s commitment to keeping local craftsmanship alive. Guests can join any session or simply take a walk through the rice fields. Artisan Encounters is listed among the resort’s special offers.
Whether you come for the architecture, the table, or the spa, Equipoise Resort Ubud reflects Tri Hita Karana and sustainable living throughout its design. Book your stay to experience it first-hand.
How to Get to Equipoise From Ubud and the Airport
Equipoise sits on the Kenderan ridge in Tegallalang, north of central Ubud, at Jalan Raya Desa Kenderan, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali 80561. It is close to Ubud’s main sights but far enough out that most guests arrive by private car. On-site parking is free if you drive yourself. For travelers looking for eco-friendly places to visit in Bali, the location also puts you near rice terraces and a waterfall.
From Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
- Distance and time:
Ubud is about 36 to 40 km from the airport, and the trip usually takes 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Booking sites list Equipoise at roughly 111 minutes by car, while the resort’s partner listings say about two hours. Kenderan lies beyond central Ubud, so plan for the longer end of that range.
- Pre-booked private transfer:
This is the most convenient option. Fares to Ubud start at around IDR 325,000 for four passengers with luggage, and a booked driver can meet you at arrivals.
- Grab or Gojek:
Both are available at the airport at any hour. Fares to Ubud typically run from IDR 350,000 to 400,000 for four passengers with luggage. Staffed waiting areas operate during the day, and walking outside the terminal can bring a lower fare.
- Airport taxi counter:
Prepaid fares to Ubud start at around IDR 360,000 to 500,000, depending on the source.
- Public bus:
The K2B and K4B buses run to central Ubud, but you would still need a ride for the last stretch to Kenderan.
From Ubud
- Central Ubud:
Ubud Palace and Ubud Traditional Art Market are about a 15-minute drive away.
- Private driver or taxi:
This is the easiest way to go. Grab and Gojek are not always allowed to pick up passengers in Ubud, so a pre-arranged driver or the hotel is more reliable for the trip back.
- Nearby attractions:
Manuaba Waterfall is a 3-minute walk from the resort, and Tegallalang Rice Terrace is within a 15-minute drive. Both are easy additions to a list of eco-friendly places to visit in Bali.
Travel tips
- Nyepi: Ngurah Rai Airport closes for Nyepi (Day of Silence), so check the date before booking flights.
- Timing: Build in a buffer, since traffic from south Bali can add well over an hour.
Is Equipoise the Eco Resort in Bali for You?
Equipoise suits adult travelers who want an eco resort in Bali that is built with care and still feels comfortable. The bamboo and stone buildings were made with local craftsmen, and the ridge setting gives you rice field views from every corner of the stay.
Days are shaped by experiences such as Wariga spa rituals, artisan workshops, and dinner at Riserva, rather than by a long activity list. The resort is adults-only, which keeps the mood calm and quiet. If this sounds like the kind of stay you want, book directly on the Equipoise Resort page to see current rates and available rooms.
